As the long question droned on from a reporter for NPR Radio, Jennifer Capriati’s face grew confused, her mouth fell agape.

“President Bush has been holding town meetings across the country about Title IX,” the woman reporter asked during the press conference after Capriati’s 6-4, 6-2 victory over Tina Pisnik yesterday. “He’s considering changing this important legislation that helped women get involved in sports. If you could say something to President Bush, what would you say?”

Capriati had nothing to say. “I have no idea what Title IX is. Sorry?,” the Brooklyn-born Capriati said.

It was the most embarrassing moment of yesterday’s U.S. Open, which was marred by a five-hour rain delay. When another reporter quickly changed the subject and asked about her next opponent, Meghann Shaughnessy, Capriati said, “Oh, a tennis question.”

Capriati, who was shoved onto the tour at 13, remains as the lone threat to knock off either of the Williams sisters and win her first Open following her victory over Pisnik. “This is what I want most,” Capriati said. “Being from here, it has the most meaning.”

Capriati, who has own three Grand Slams the past 1½ years, just wants to say healthy during the fortnight. The rain delay didn’t help Capriati’s cause. Though she purposely arrived late, about 12:30 p.m., she was spotted standing outside the player’s lounge getting an impromptu 20-minute massage on her right shoulder, neck and back, apparently fighting off stiffness. Stefano Capriati, her father, said his daughter was OK but added “there always little things a tennis player has.”

Capriati’s match began before a very sparse and soaked crowd but the stadium would soon fill. She had to fight off a ton of slices and garbage balls from her opponent – not an easy task in the wind. Capriati did her one better, winning the first set on a backhand drop shot.

“It’s not the game I’d prefer to play against,” Capriati said.

Capriati is all about power but she said she regards Davenport as having the toughest serve in the game, not the Williams sisters. Surprisingly so, since Capriati has lost 10 straight times to Serena and Venus.

“I always thought Lindsay had the toughest serve for me,” she said. “She just placed it so well, gets the angles. [Venus], there’s a big difference between the first and second serve.”